Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of distributing management of network resources on a network to network devices is provided. During execution, the system receives a request on a network device to execute a task that performs a set of operations related to managing the network, receives an application over the network wherein the application includes operations for performing the task, processes operations on the network device that requests network parameters from a remote network device, transmits the request for the network parameter over the network to the remote network, and receives the requested network parameter over the network from the remote network device.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention overcome the shortcomings of existing trading systems by providing an invoiceless trading system that creates incentives for customers to pay suppliers within a predetermined period of time, such as a settlement period. Specifically, the invoiceless trading system enables a customer to obtain a discount on orders placed with suppliers in return for an immediate payment (e.g., within 24 hours) by the customer. The supplier receives payment within the predetermined period of time, and the customer receives additional cash benefits by providing an early payment to the supplier. To communicate with and transfer funds between customers and suppliers, the invoiceless trading system may use an electronic gateway and a settlement bank. In addition to creating an incentive to embrace e-commerce, both customers and suppliers avoid the need to manually process orders and use invoices to complete transactions.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method for determining the topology of a network in which a Spanning-Tree protocol is implemented, is disclosed in which address table data is obtained from the ports of the core network devices on the network, and the identity of the ports of the core network devices are determined. Spanning-Tree protocol information is obtained from the core network devices and used to process the address table data to remove data relating to ports having links which are inactive. The topology of the network is then determined using the processed data by first selecting one of the core network devices as a root network device, and then using the processed address table data to build a network tree from the selected root device.

Abstract: A window latch for a sliding window having a sliding sash including a latch plate and a housing. The housing includes an engagement element movable relative to the housing from a locked position operatively engaged with the latch plate to an unlocked position disengaged from the latch plate. A handle is operatively coupled to the engagement element and movable from a first position to a second position in a first direction corresponding to the direction the sliding sash to which the handle is attached moves to an open position. The handle operatively moves the engagement element from the locked position to the unlocked position as the handle is moved in the first direction toward the second position.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining technical support services over a network. A registered seeker of technical support services submits a search request to a task matching server. The search request comprises search criteria for identifying one or more registered providers of technical support services. The task matching server searches a library of provider profiles comprising qualifications of registered providers of technical support services and provides the seeker a list of registered providers meeting the search criteria. The seeker selects a registered provider from the list. The task matching server facilitates the exchange of communications between the seeker and the selected provider. The selected provider sends a quotation for technical support services to the seeker. The quotation comprises service terms under which the selected provider is willing to provide the technical support services.

Abstract: An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user's foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members.

Abstract: An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user's foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of administering health care insurance benefits. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods of providing health care coverage in which clinical services are differentiated into different clinical categories, which correspond with different levels of insurance benefits. The clinical categories include Preventive or Chronic Care Services, Core Services, Standard Services, and non-covered services.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention overcome the shortcomings of existing trading systems by providing an invoiceless trading system that creates incentives for customers to pay suppliers within a predetermined period of time, such as a settlement period. Specifically, the invoiceless trading system enables a customer to obtain a discount on orders placed with suppliers in return for an immediate payment (e.g., within 24 hours) by the customer. The supplier receives payment within the predetermined period of time, and the customer receives additional cash benefits by providing an early payment to the supplier. To communicate with and transfer funds between customers and suppliers, the invoiceless trading system may use an electronic gateway and a settlement bank. In addition to creating an incentive to embrace e-commerce, both customers and suppliers avoid the need to manually process orders and use invoices to complete transactions.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using an object-oriented interface for network management. An example system and method receives a management information base (MIB) including information related to one or more aspects of a network device, extracts a subset of information from the MIB describing at least one aspect of the network device, and generates a set of object-oriented classes and object-oriented methods corresponding to the subset of information in the MIB. In addition, this system and method interfaces with network management information on a network device, by providing a management information base (MIB) including information related to one or more aspects of a network device, and using a set of object-oriented classes and object-oriented methods that corresponds to the MIB and information related to one or more aspects of the network device.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for distracting a spinal disc space and supporting adjacent vertebrae are provided. Trial instruments are insertable into the disc space to determine a desired disc space height and to select a corresponding implant. Implants can be also be self-distracting and the implant providing the desired disc space height can be implanted in the spinal disc space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving and/or increasing the bioavailability of a biologically active substance, such as a peptide. In particular, the present invention relates to the conjugation of the biologically active substance to a bile acid. The conjugated biologically active substance is suitable particularly for oral or parental administration.

Abstract: A transceiver including a transmitter, a receiver, a first printed circuit board assembly, and a second printed circuit board assembly. The transmitter is configured to convert electrical signals to fiber optic signals. The receiver is configured to convert fiber optic signals to electrical signals. The first printed circuit board assembly is electrically coupled with the transmitter and configured to be electrically coupled with a host system via a first plurality of host interface pins. The second printed circuit board assembly is electrically coupled with the receiver and configured to be electrically coupled with the host system via a second plurality of host interface pins.

Abstract: A modular sensing station architecture that supports flexible power management includes one or more sensors connected to a WINS node. Each node includes power supply, data acquisition, programmable microprocessor and wireless transceiver modules that communicate data and instructions over a bus. The bus suitably includes a signal bus for communicating instructions and low bandwidth data and a high-capacity data bus for transferring high bandwidth data and executing high power tasks. The dual bus approach provides constant communications among the modules and low-capacity data transfer with the option to activate the high-power circuits or tasks only as needed.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method reduces the number of events presented in an event list to a user. In particular, the apparatus and method reduces the number of events, which are generated during the monitoring of a network and may be due to rebooting of a device on the network, presented to the user by determining, upon receiving an event relating to a device, whether a more significant event already appears in the event list relating to the device, and if so, preventing the received event from being presented in the event list to the user.

Abstract: A bi-directional transceiver comprises a housing, a flange coupled to the housing, and only one LC receptacle coupled to the housing. A width of the housing is less than 9.2 mm, and a width of the flange is less than 9.5 mm.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method for identifying an event which is indicative of the underlying cause of more than one of a plurality of events detected by a network management station on a network is described in which the management station has knowledge of the topology of the network. Using the topology of the network, the apparatus and method considers the location of the network device causing each event in the plurality of events, and determines as the causal event, the event which has occurred at a location closest to the network management station. The method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program.

Abstract: A method and system provides access to information about a resource associated with a network device. The method and system selects a layer for communicating with the requested resource associated with the network device in a network protocol stack having multiple layers, establishes an inner layer socket for communicating at the selected layer using an inner layer application programming interface (IL API) and a socket identifier associated with the requested resource, wherein the inner layer socket communicates using the selected layer and bypasses other layers in the network protocol stack, transmits the request for information about the resource through the inner layer socket and the socket identifier, receives the information about the resource in response to the transmission made through the inner layer socket, and passes the information about the resource through the inner layer socket to the application making the request.

Abstract: The application relates to water craft hulls having improved hydrodynamic stability. A hull (1) is claimed in which the center of gravity (Cg) is substantially vertically aligned with the center of hydrodynamic lift (Cp) of a lifting surface of the hull, both at lift-off speed and at design speed, and preferably also at speeds below lift-off, and at all speeds between lift-off and design speed and above. A hull having a relatively high aspect ratio at design speed, and preferably also at lift-off speed, is also claimed. In the preferred embodiment, the hull is generally delta-shaped in plan view.